Erythromycin is used for treating infections caused by certain bacteria. It is also used to prevent bacterial endocarditis and attacks of rheumatic fever. Erythromycin is a macrolide antibiotic. It works by slowing the growth of, or sometimes killing, sensitive bacteria by reducing the production of important proteins needed by the bacteria to survive.

INSTRUCTIONS

Use Erythromycin as directed by your doctor.

Take Erythromycin by mouth with or without food. If stomach upset occurs, take with food to reduce stomach irritation.

Swallow Erythromycin whole. Do not break, crush, or chew before swallowing.

Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you use Erythromycin.

Erythromycin works best if taken at the same time each day.

To clear up your infection completely, take Erythromycin for the full course of treatment. Keep taking it even if you feel better in a few days.

If you miss a dose of Erythromycin, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Erythromycin.

STORAGE

Store Erythromycin at room temperature, below 86 degrees F (30 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep tightly closed. Keep Erythromycin out of the reach of children and away from pets.

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Erythromycin may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

Important safety information:

Mild diarrhea is common with antibiotic use. However, a more serious form of diarrhea (pseudomembranous colitis) may rarely occur. This may develop while you use the antibiotic or within several months after you stop using it. Contact your doctor right away if stomach pain or cramps, severe diarrhea, or bloody stools occur. Do not treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor.

Erythromycin only works against bacteria; it does not treat viral infections (eg, the common cold).

Be sure to use Erythromycin for the full course of treatment. If you do not, the medicine may not clear up your infection completely. The bacteria could also become less sensitive to this or other medicines. This could make the infection harder to treat in the future.

Long-term or repeated use of Erythromycin may cause a second infection. Tell your doctor if signs of a second infection occur. Your medicine may need to be changed to treat this.

Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Erythromycin before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.

Rarely, patients taking Erythromycin have developed reversible hearing loss. The risk is greater if you have kidney problems or you take high doses of Erythromycin. Contact your doctor if you develop decreased hearing or hearing loss.

Erythromycin may interfere with certain lab tests. Be sure your doctor and lab personnel know you are taking Erythromycin.

Lab tests, including liver function, kidney function, and complete blood cell counts, may be performed while you use Erythromycin. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Erythromycin while you are pregnant. Erythromycin is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Erythromycin, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects.

Check with your doctor if any of these most common side effects persist or become bothersome:

Diarrhea; loss of appetite; nausea; stomach pain; vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these severe side effects occur: